CNIS teams with Ottawa simulation lab

From the ESS course in Ottawa

CNIS held a reception at the brand new university of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre (uOSSC) on October 21.

An Evening for International Surgery gathered Ottawa surgeons and others interested in supporting and learning more about CNIS work and included teaching demonstrations. For those that could not make it, CBC Ottawa covered the event on the evening news. Funds were raised towards the surgical skills lab that CNIS wishes to establish in Moshi, Tanzania, where CNIS volunteer Ottawa surgeons have been teaching for 5 years. 34 ‘bricks’ were sold, making us a step closer to completing the lab.

The uOSSC, now Canada’s largest simulation centre, was created as a joint venture between the Ottawa Hospital and the university of Ottawa. The centre offered the venue free of charge for the reception and for 3 full days of CNIS surgical and obstetrical courses. Our sincere thanks go to Viren Naik, the Director and Kevin Thomas, the manager, as well as the uOSSC staff, Kim Tardioli, Cathy and Julie, who provided their expertise beyond what was required and volunteered their time and made the courses and event run smoothly.

Our first Ottawa volunteer team, coordinated by obstetrical resident Genevieve Tam, assisted with the event, which we hope will be one of many. Funding for the evening, including tasty Moroccan food, was provided jointly by the Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Division of Orthopaedics, and the Division of General Surgery. Thank you to the CNIS Ottawa volunteer surgeons, Dr. Robin Fairfull-Smith, Dr. Paul Moroz and obstetrician Dr. Hassan Shenassa for their contributions as instructors and organizers.

The CBC news clip can be viewed on our home page under CNIS in the NEWS.

If you missed the event and wish to support CNIS, you can go to the donation page, or buy a brick online.